Dominic Cooper, best known for playing Howard Stark in Captain America, dons another pair of polished oxfords for his turn as James Bond creator, Ian Fleming, in the new miniseries, Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond, premiering on BBC America tonight. We caught up with Amanda Seyfried's former leading man in Vancouver, where he is currently filming the new Warcraft movie alongside Ben Foster and Paula Patton.

You researched your role thoroughly. Were there any parts of Fleming's life that you can relate to personally?

We had very, very different upbringings. When he was a young man, he was given so many opportunities, but he never really seemed to appreciate them or take advantage of them. I can't really relate to him or the way he treats his women. I can understand the man that he is; I know people like him. For me, his attraction was his quick-wittedness and his use of language. By all accounts, he was probably quite a complex and rather difficult man to be around. You wouldn't want to be at the wrong end of him.

How did your upbringing differ from his?

I went to a comprehensive, state-run school. I was privileged enough to be surrounded by friends, people from all different walks of life—which for me was an absolute blessing—rather than being in a very secure, privileged, financially safe background as he was. That world, which very much exists in England in terms of the class system, is a very specific group of people; it's a club, really that few are part of.

Fleming appears to be a pleasure-seeking man. What are your pleasures? What makes you happy?

I'm a social person. I like conversation, being with people, playing sports.

Any particular sports?

I'm really into tennis at the moment. Because of the traveling, standing in front of a mirror and lifting weights in a gym makes me feel putrid. I'd rather do something that's physically tough and mentally stimulating.

You've said playing Fleming was a dream role for you. How so?

What he did, what he went on to achieve…to be able to portray someone like that is a dream role. Playing him gives you a much clearer understanding of why James Bond is the man that he is. In essence, it's like a very old-fashioned version of James Bond. The language is beautiful, it's exciting, he's a spy. At the same time, he has very human relationships with his family. It's such an exciting, complex mix to portray—you get to run down the corridor with the gun, but you also have a magnificent, very intellectual scene with the dynamics of the family life.

Did you confer at all with Daniel Craig when you were making the miniseries?

I wish I had. I only saw him at an awards ceremony a while ago, before I started or knew anything about it. I love hearing anything about that world, the relationship between Fleming and the Broccolis [the producers of 17 Bond films], when they first came up with the concept of James Bond. As soon as you have any involvement in that world, you become quite obsessed with finding out the background of it and the details of it.

Is there any truth to the rumor that you are dating [actress] Ruth Negga?

I don't want any of my personal stuff out.

Do you wear any men's designer clothing?

I love having the opportunity to be able to get dressed up on those occasions when you do. I would have never dreamed of wearing the kinds of designer suits you have the possibility of wearing when you're at the ceremonies and the big market events. It's a wonderful privilege. I enjoy it for special occasions. I wear Prada stuff, Spencer Hart, and there's an English young designer called Adrien Sauvage—he's a really talented guy. Sometimes wearing their suits for films just helps to feel the part and who that character is. It really influences how you feel.